The London Legal Support Trust is an independent charity that raises funds for free legal advice services in London and the South East. We support free legal advice centres across London and the South East through the provision of grant funding, supporting sector infrastructure, helping agencies reduce costs and save money via pro bono or discounted schemes.
For many living in London and the South East, access to free legal advice and services is scarce. Deep cuts to civil legal aid and council grants over the past several years have worsened the problem. Two thirds of the UK population don’t know how to get access to justice, and half of all legal advice services in the UK have closed over the past few years. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has exacerbated this problem by increasing the need for advice in the areas of housing, employment, benefits and more. When people who are facing issues cannot get legal help in time, problems spiral out of control and can lead to devastating outcomes like homelessness, poverty and more. The funds we raise go to supporting legal advice providers including Law Centres, Citizens Advice and other legal advice agencies. Our advice agencies assist people in need across many areas, including disability, debt, employment, domestic violence, homelessness, modern day slavery and removal of care.